Portable Carrier

ABSTRACT

A unitary blank is configured to be assembled into a portable carrier. The unitary blank includes a bottom panel, a plurality of side panels connected with the bottom panel, and a top panel connected with one of the side panels. The unitary blank also includes a carrier divider panel connected with one of the side panels. The carrier divider panel includes perforations such that the carrier divider panel is detachable from the side panel and configured to be inserted into an interior of the portable carrier formed by the bottom panel, the plurality of side panels, and the top panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present description relates generally to a carrier, and morespecifically relates to a portable carrier.

BACKGROUND

Storage and/or carrying devices are useful in many circumstances and formany purposes. For example, food or drinks prepared at a first locationmay need to be stored or transported to a second location, such as by acaterer or by a user picking up a dinner order from a commercialrestaurant and returning it home for subsequent consumption. It may beuseful to have a storage device or carrier for transporting the food ordrinks, as well as any additional items or condiments which may beuseful. In other circumstances, other items, such as books, officesupplies, pets and/or pet food, toys, games, and/or various othercontents, materials, items, containers, and/or cargo may need to bestored and/or transported. It may be useful to have a storage device orcarrier capable of storing or carrying these items in an efficientmanner.

SUMMARY

A unitary blank is configured to be assembled into a portable carrier.The unitary blank includes a bottom panel, a plurality of side panelsconnected with the bottom panel, and a top panel connected with one ofthe side panels. The unitary blank also includes a carrier divider panelconnected with one of the side panels. The carrier divider panelincludes perforations such that the carrier divider panel is detachablefrom the side panel and configured to be inserted into an interior ofthe portable carrier formed by the bottom panel, the plurality of sidepanels, and the top panel.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become,apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the followingfigures and detailed description. It is intended that all suchadditional systems, methods, features and advantages be included withinthis description, be within the scope of the embodiments, and beprotected by the following claims and be defined by the followingclaims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below inconjunction with the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The system and/or method may be better understood with reference to thefollowing drawings and description. Non-limiting and non-exhaustivedescriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. Thecomponents in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis insteadbeing placed upon illustrating principles. In the figures, likereferenced numerals may refer to like parts throughout the differentfigures unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a blank of a portable carrier.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a blank of a portable carrier.

FIG. 4 a is a top view of a detachable carrier divider panel.

FIG. 4 b is a top view of a detachable carrier divider panel.

FIG. 4 c is a top view of a detachable carrier divider panel.

FIG. 5 is an elevated side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 13 a is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 13 b is side perspective views of a portable carrier.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 15 a is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 15 b is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A portable carrier may be useful for transporting contents, materials,items, containers, and/or cargo (hereinafter “cargo” or “containers”).For example, a portable carrier may have an interior that may be used tostore cargo such as food or food containers, condiments, napkins,utensils, beverages, other items for eating or drinking or combinationsof items. Alternatively, the portable carrier may be partially orcompletely filled with other cargo such as, for example, books, officesupplies, pets and/or pet food, toys, games, and/or various othercontents, materials, items, containers, and/or cargo. The portablecarrier may be, for example, loaded from the side, which may allow foreasy loading of cargo or containers which may be prone to spilling. Theportable carrier may have a handle connected to a top of the portablecarrier which may be used to carrier the portable carrier. The portablecarrier may have detachable carrier divider panels (sometimes referredto as carrier dividers) which may be attached to a panel or portion of ablank used to make the portable carrier, and which may be detached fromthe panel or portion of the blank upon assembly of the portable carrierand used separately as carrier divider panels inside the assembledportable carrier.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a portable carrier 100. The portable carrier100 may include a side panel 142, a front panel 140, a top panel 130with an aperture 115, and a handle 102 with a handle opening 103. Theportable carrier 100 may also include a side panel opposite the sidepanel 142, a back panel opposite the front panel 140, and/or a bottompanel opposite the top panel 130. More or less panels, apertures,handles, and/or handle openings may be included.

The portable carrier 100 may, as shown in FIG. 1, be a cube with squarepanels 130, 140 and 142. Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may bevarious other shapes, such as, for example, a rectangular solid orrectangular prism, a parallelpiped, box-shaped, pyramidal,semi-cylindrical, cylindrical, semi-spherical, or other shapes.

The portable carrier 100 may have various dimensions. For example, theportable carrier 100 may be a cube with a side length of approximately10-12 inches. Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may be a cube withside length less than 10 inches or greater than 12 inches.Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may be a shape other than acube, such as a parallelpiped, and have dimensions such as a length of25 inches, a width of 16 inches, and a height of 14 inches. Variousother shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions are possible.

The portable carrier 100 may be made of, for example, corrugatedcardboard. Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may be made ofvarious other materials such as, for example, other cardboard, paper,plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, wood, metal, glass, insulation orinsulating materials, or other materials or combinations of materials.

The portable carrier 100 may or may not include, bound, and/or create avolume, area, and/or space. For example, the portable carrier 100 may ormay not include or create an interior space bounded by the side panel142, the front panel 140, the top panel 130, the bottom panel oppositethe top panel 130, the back panel opposite the front panel 140, and theside panel opposite the side panel 142. More or fewer panels or featuresof the portable carrier 100 may partially or completely include, boundand/or create the volume, area, and/or space. Where the portable carrieris not a cube, other panels or features may partially or completelydefine a volume, area, and/or space.

The volume, area, and/or space of the portable carrier 100 may bepartially or completely filled with or used to store contents,materials, items, containers, and/or cargo (hereinafter “cargo” or“containers”).

Cargo may be placed in the portable carrier 100 from the side of theportable carrier 100. For example, the front panel 140 of the portablecarrier 100 may be connected to a bottom panel of the portable carrier100, such as by a hinged connection whereby a portion or the entirefront panel 140 may be moveable relative to the bottom panel. The frontpanel 140 may be attachable and/or detachable from the top panel 130,such that the side panel 140 may fold down to a position parallel orsubstantially parallel with the bottom panel of the portable carrier100. Folding the front panel 140 in this way may create an openingthrough which a user may access the volume, area, and/or space of theportable carrier 100. In this way, for example, a user may safely insertfor transportation cargo which is not intended to be tipped or spilled,and may prevent unnecessary loss, jostling, or disruption of thecontents of the inserted cargo. This may be particularly useful forcargo which has an area nearly the same size as, or slightly smallerthan, an area of a bottom panel of the portable carrier 100, which ifinserted through the top of the carrier would require partially rotatingthe cargo vertically to fit in the carrier.

The portable carrier 100 may be lifted, transported, and/or carriedusing a handle 102. The handle 102 may or may not be inserted through anaperture 115 on the top panel 130. The handle 102 may be removably orfixedly attached to the portable carrier 100. In lifting, transporting,and/or carrying the portable carrier 100, a user may, for example,insert a hand or other gripping device or instrument through handleopening 103. The user may then lift the hand or other gripping device,apply pressure to an inner portion of the handle 102 in an upwardsdirection. The pressure applied may lift the portable carrier 100. Assuch, cargo inserted through the side of the portable carrier 100 may belifted, transported, and/or carried without tipping or spilling, orbeing lost, jostled, or otherwise disrupted.

The portable carrier 100 of FIG. 1 may be useful, for example, forcatering and/or carrying containers of food or other solid or non-solidmaterial which should be kept flat, since the containers may be insertedflat through the side of the portable carrier 100 without being tipped,may be carried from the top of the portable carrier 100 using handle102, and may be removed at the destination again through the side of theportable carrier 100.

The portable carrier 100 of FIG. 1 may be made of, include, and/or beconstructed from one or more separate pieces. For example, the portablecarrier 100 may be assembled from a single or unitary blank.Alternatively, the portable carrier may be assembled from multipleblanks. Other configurations are possible.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a blank 200 which may be assembled, folded,and/or used as or to create the portable carrier 100. FIG. 3 shows asecond example of a blank 600 which may be assembled, folded, and/orused as or to create the portable carrier 100. Though the followingdescriptions of FIGS. 4-20 may be used to describe components of blank200, it should be appreciated that the same or similar descriptions,methods, and/or capabilities may equally apply to like components ofblank 600.

A blank used for the portable carrier 100, such as blanks 200 or 600,may be made of, for example, corrugated cardboard. Alternatively, theblanks 200 or 600 may be made of various other materials such as, forexample, other cardboard, paper, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, wood,metal, glass, insulation or insulating materials, or other materials orcombinations of materials. The blank 200 may be unitary or single-sheetconstruction, with all of the panels and components being included onone blank. Alternatively, the blanks 200 or 600 may comprise more thanone sheet, component, or blank.

The blank 200 may have various dimensions. For example, the blank 200may have a total length of approximately 47 inches, and may have a totalwidth of approximately 31 inches. However, many other dimensions arepossible.

The blank 200 may include one or more side panels 142 and 144. Sidepanels 142 and 144 may have various shapes and/or dimensions. Forexample, the side panels 142 and 144 may be square and may have a lengthof approximately 11 inches. Alternatively, the side panels 142 and 144may be rectangular, with a length that is twice the width. However,other shapes and/or dimensions are possible. In FIG. 2, the side panels142 and 144 have the same shape and dimensions. In other systems, theside panels 142 and 144 may have different shapes and/or dimensions fromeach other.

The blank 200 may include one or more front panel 140. Front panel 140may have various shapes and/or dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG.2, the front panel 140 may be square, and may have a length ofapproximately 11 inches. Various other shapes and/or dimensions arepossible. The front panel 140 may have the same or similar shape, size,and dimensions as one or both of the side panels 142 and 144, or may bedifferent. The front panel 140 may be or may be referred to as a sidepanel or a front panel.

The front panel 140 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent, connected,attached, and/or fixed to a bottom panel 146, such as at or by fold line338. The front panel 140 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent,connected, attached and/or fixed to the detachable carrier devices 210and 212, such as by perforated fold lines, or perforations, 415 and 410respectively. The front panel 140 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent,connected, attached or fixed to the top flap 295, such as along or by afold line 342. However, other configurations, positions, attachments,and/or connections of these or other components are possible.

The blank 200 may include one or more top panel 130. The top panel 130may have various shapes and/or dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG.2, the top panel 130 may be generally square, and may have a length ofapproximately 11 inches. However, various other shapes and/or dimensionsare possible.

The top panel 130 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent, connected,attached and/or fixed to the side panel 142, such as at or by the foldline 320. The top panel 130 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent,connected, attached and/or fixed to the back folding panel 270, such asat or by a fold line 318. The top panel 130 may be adjacent, connected,attached and/or fixed to the securing flap 250, such as at or by a foldline 316. The top panel 130 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/orfixed to the handle flap 290, such as at or by a fold line 310. However,other configurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or othercomponents are possible.

The blank 200 may include one or more bottom panel 146. The bottom panel146 may have various shapes and/or dimensions. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the bottom panel 146 may be square, and may have a length ofapproximately 11 inches. However, other shapes and/or dimensions arepossible. The bottom panel 146 may be adjacent, connected, attachedand/or fixed to the side panels 142 and 144, such as at or by fold line326 and 330 respectively. The bottom panel 146 may be adjacent,connected, attached and/or fixed to the front panel 140, such as at orby the fold line 338. The bottom panel 146 may be adjacent, connected,attached and/or fixed to the back folding panel 276, such at or by afold line 328. However, other configurations, attachments, and/orconnections of these or other components are possible.

The blank 200 may include one or more back folding panels 270, 272, 274,276, 278, and 280. The back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and280 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. One or more ofthe back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may have thesame or different shapes, sizes and/or dimensions from one or more otherback folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280.

For example, back folding panels 270 and 276 may be similar to eachother in shape, size, and/or dimension, as shown in FIG. 2, or they maybe different. As shown in FIG. 2, back folding panels 270 and 276 may,for example, be shaped similar to a half of a non-rectangularparallelogram, divided or bisected by a line perpendicular to a set ofthe parallel sides. Stated another way, the back folding panels 270 and276 in FIG. 2 may be shaped similar to or resemble a boundary of asquare and adjacent right triangle sharing a common side. The edges ofthe back folding panel 270 and 276 may be rounded, as shown in FIG. 2,or may be sharp. Other shapes are possible.

Back folding panels 270 and 276 may have a length similar to the lengthof the top panel 130 and the bottom panel 146, such as 11 inches, or thelength may be different. Back folding panels 270 and 276 may have awidth of approximately half of the width of the top panel 130 and thebottom panel 146, such as 5-6 inches, or the width may be various otherdimensions. Various dimensions are possible.

Back folding panels 270 and 276 may be adjacent, connected, attachedand/or fixed to the top panel 130 and/or the bottom panel 146respectively, such as, for example, at or by fold lines 318 and 328respectively. However, other configurations, attachments, and/orconnections of these or other components are possible.

Back folding panels 272 and 280 may, for example, be similar to eachother in shape and dimension, as shown in FIG. 2, or may have differentshapes or dimensions. For example, the back folding panels 272 and 280may be shaped generally like the back folding panels 270 and 276 or maybe shaped differently. The back folding panels 272 and 280 may be shapedsimilar to a half of a non-rectangular parallelogram, divided by a lineperpendicular to a set of the parallel sides. As shown in FIG. 2, theback folding panels 272 and 280 may be shaped similar to or resemble aboundary of a square and right triangle sharing a common side. Othershapes are possible.

Back folding panels 272 and 280 may have a length similar to the lengthof the side panels 142 and 144, such as 11 inches, or the length may bedifferent. Back folding panels 272 and 280 may have a width ofapproximately half of the width of the side panels 142 and 144, such as5-6 inches, or the width may be other dimensions. Various dimensions arepossible.

Back folding panels 272 and 280 may be adjacent, connected, attachedand/or fixed to the side panels 142 and 144 respectively, such as, forexample, at or by fold lines 324 and 334 respectively. However, otherconfigurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or othercomponents are possible.

Back folding panels 272 and 280 may or may not each have a notch 490 and491 respectively. The notches 490 and 491 may or may not be located ator near a corner point of the parallelogram opposing the fold lines 324and 334 respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. The notches 490 and 491 may ormay not be located at a point on an edge where the back folding panels274 and 278 are adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the backfolding panels 272 and 280 respectively.

Back folding panels 274 and 278 may be similar to each other in shapeand dimension, as shown in FIG. 2, or may have different shapes ordimensions. Back folding panels 274 and 278 may, for example, be shapedin a generally triangular shape as shown in FIG. 2, or in various othershapes. The back folding panels 274 and 278 may, for example, fill in aportion of the back folding panels 272 and 280 so as to form, incombination with the back folding panels 272 and 280, a nearlyrectangular shape with rounded edges. The back folding panels 274 and278 may have round edges, sharp edges, or various combinations. Othershapes and/or configurations are possible. Back folding panels 274 and278 may, for example, be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed onlyto the back folding panels 272 and 280 respectively, such as at, by oralong fold lines 322 and 332 respectively. Various other configurationsare possible.

Each of the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may beconfigured, placed, shaped, and/or have dimensions similar or the sameas each other or any may be different.

The blank 200 may include one or more detachable carrier divider panels210 and 212. FIG. 2 shows two detachable carrier divider panels 210 and212, but more or less detachable carrier divider panels are possible.

The detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may have variousshapes and/or dimensions. The detachable carrier divider panels 210 and212 may have the same or different shapes and dimensions. For example,as shown in FIG. 2, the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212may both be rectangular with a first side shorter than a length of theside panels 142 and 144, and a second side longer than a length of theside panels 142 and 144. The detachable carrier divider panels 210 and212 may, for example, be rectangular with a length of 12 inches and awidth of 10.5 inches. In some systems, the detachable carrier dividerpanel 210 may have a length and width which are the same as the lengthand width of the bottom panel 146. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 14,15 a-b, 19, and 20, a detachable carrier divider panel may have a lengththe same as the length of a bottom panel 146, and a width that is widerthan the bottom panel 146. Various other shapes, sizes, and dimensionsare possible.

The detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may, as shown in FIG.2, be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the side panels 142and 144 respectively, such as at or by perforated fold lines, orperforations, 420 and 405 respectively. In addition, the detachablecarrier divider panels 210 and 212 may be adjacent, connected, attached,and/or fixed to opposing sides of the front panel 140, such as byperforated fold lines, or perforations, 415 and 410 respectively.However, various other configurations, attachments, and/or connectionsof these or other components are possible. For example, the front panel140 may be switched with either of the carrier divider panels 210 and212, such that the front panel 140 may be adjacent, connected, attached,and/or fixed to either of the side panels 142 or 144, while the carrierdivider panels 210 and 212 may be adjacent, connected, attached, and/orfixed to the other side panel 142 or 144 and the bottom panel 146. Insuch a configuration, features like the locking tab 240 may also bemoved, such as to the side panel 142 or 144 opposite the side panel 142or 144 adjacent, connected, attached, and/or fixed to the front panel140. Various other configurations, attachments, and/or connections ofthese or other components are possible

The blank 200 may include one or more handle panel 290. The handle panel290 may be one of various shapes and have various dimensions. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, the handle panel 290 may be rectangularwith a first side approximately the same length as the top panel 130,and a second side approximately half of the length of the top panel 130.For example, the handle panel 290 may have a length of 11 inches and awidth of 5 inches. Various other shapes, sizes, and dimensions arepossible.

The handle panel 290, as shown in FIG. 2, may be adjacent, connected,attached and/or fixed to the top panel 130, such as, for example, at orby fold line 310. The handle panel 290, as shown in FIG. 2, may beadjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the handle 110, such as,for example, at or by a fold line 110. However, various otherconfigurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or othercomponents are possible.

The blank 200 may include one or more handles 110 and 112. Handles 110and 112 may have various shapes and/or dimensions, and may have the sameor different shapes and dimensions. For example, in FIG. 2, handle 110and 112 may generally be shaped like the rounded portion of the letter“D” or a semi-elliptical. Other shapes, such as rectangular orsemi-circular, may be possible. Handles 110 and 112 may generally have alength of approximately 6-8 inches, a height of approximately 2 inches,and a width which may vary from 1 inch in the middle to 2 inches alongthe sides. Various other shapes and dimensions are possible.

Handle 110 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to thehandle panel 290, such as, for example, at or by fold line 208. Handle110 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to handle 112,such as, for example, at or by one or more fold lines 304 and 306.Handle 112 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to a bottomhandle feature 114, such as, for example, at or by fold line 302. Handle110 and handle 112 may have the same shape, but may be positioned sothat handle 110 faces a first direction and handle 112 faces a seconddirection opposite the first direction. Handle 110 and handle 112 maypositioned back to back to each other, so that if handle 112 was foldedover handle 110 at one or more of the fold lines 304 and 306, handle 110and handle 112 may align. Other attachments, connections,configurations, and/or positions are possible.

The bottom handle feature 114 may, for example, be rectangular, or maybe various other shapes. As shown in FIG. 2, bottom handle feature 114may have the same length as the handle 112, or the length may bedifferent. For example, in the blank 600 in FIG. 3, the bottom handlefeature 614 may be longer than the length of the handle 612. The bottomhandle feature 114 may have various widths, such as, for example, 1inch. Other shapes and dimensions are possible.

The blank 200 may have handle openings 120 and 122. Handle openings 120and 122 may, for example, be shaped like the letter “D” orsemi-elliptical, or may have various other shapes such as rectangular orsemi-circular. Handle openings 120 and 122 may be partially orcompletely defined, for example, by the handles 110 and 112, the handlepanel 290, and/or the bottom handle feature 114. For example, a roundedportion of handle opening 120 may be located along an inside edge of thehandle 110 and may align with or otherwise mimic the shape of the handle110. A straight portion of the handle opening 120 may be bounded by anedge of the handle panel 290, as shown in FIG. 2. A rounded portion ofhandle opening 122 may, for example, be located along an inside edge ofthe handle 112 and may align with or otherwise mimic the shape of thehandle 112. A straight portion of the handle opening 122 may be boundedby an edge of the bottom handle feature 114, as shown in FIG. 2. Handleopenings 120 and 122 may have the same size and shape, or may bedifferent. The blank 200 may have more or less handle openings. Othershapes, configurations, alignments and/or positions are possible.

The blank 200 may include one or more locking tab 240. The locking tab240 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, thelocking tab 240 in FIG. 2 may be approximately square with two roundedcorners, and may have a length of approximately 2 inches. Other shapesand sizes are possible.

As shown in FIG. 2, the locking tab 240 may be adjacent, connected,attached and/or fixed to an interior portion of the top panel 130, suchas, for example, by fold line 314. The locking tab 240 may be positionedso as to extend from an interior portion of the top panel 130 to aposition beyond the edge of the top panel 130, as shown in FIG. 2. Otherconfigurations, positions, and/or alignments are possible. The lockingtab 240 may or may not include a fold line 312. Fold line 312 may bisector otherwise divide the locking tab 240. Gaps may or may not exist oneither side of the locking tab 240, adjacent to the fold line 312. Otherconfigurations, shapes, positions, and dimensions are possible. Forexample, if the front panel 140 is attached to one of the side panels142 or 144 instead of the bottom panel 146, the locking tab 240 may beadjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to an interior portion of theside panel opposite the side panel 142 or 144 attached to the frontpanel 140. Other configurations are possible.

The blank 200 may include one or more top flap 295. The top flap 295 mayhave various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, the top flap295 may be generally rectangular with a length similar to the length ofthe front panel 140, and with a width of approximately 1 inch. In otherblanks, such as blank 600 of FIG. 3, the length of the front panel maybe less than the front panel 140, and/or may be similar or slightly lessthan the length of the apertures 615 and 616. The top flap 295 may havesharp or rounded corners. Other shapes and/or dimensions are possible.

The blank 200 may include one or more slot creation tab 245. Slotcreation tab 245 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. Forexample, slot creation tab 245 may be rectangular or trapezoidal with alength of approximately two inches and a width of approximately ¼ inch.Other shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions are possible.

The slot creation tab 245 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/orfixed to the front panel 140. The slot creation tab 245 may, forexample, be a rectangular protrusion out of the center of one of thesides of the front panel 140. The slot creation tab 245 may extend toand/or into top flap 295. When top flap 295 is folded or bent away fromthe front panel 140 along fold line 342, the slot creation tab 245 maynot bend and/or may remain planar with the front panel 140. In this way,a rectangular slot with dimensions similar to the slot creation tab 245may be created between the front panel 140 and the top flap 295. Otherdimensions, sizes, shapes, and/or configurations are possible.

The slot creation tab 245 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/orfixed to the front panel 140, such as, for example, by, at, or alongfold line 342. The edges of the top flap 295 opposite the front panel140 may be sharp or rounded. Other configurations and/or positions arepossible.

The blank may include one or more side flaps 510 and 515. The side flaps510 and 515 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions, and mayhave the same or different shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. Forexample, the side flaps 510 and 515 may both be generally rectangularwith a length similar to the length of the side panels 142 and 144respectively, and with a width of approximately 1-2 inches. Other shapesand/or dimensions are possible.

The side flaps 510 and 515 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/orfixed to the side panels 142 and 144 respectively, such as, for example,at or by fold lines 336 and 340 respectively. The side flaps 510 and 515may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the detachablecarrier divider panels 210 and 212 respectively, such as, for example,by perforated fold lines, or perforations, 420 and 405 respectively.Various other configurations and/or positions are possible. For example,where the front panel 140 and one of the carrier divider panels 210 or212 are switched, the side flaps 510 and 515 may be adjacent, connected,attached, and/or fixed to the side panel 142 or 144 adjacent, connected,attached and/or fixed to the carrier divider panel 210 or 212 that didnot switch with the front panel 140, and to the bottom panel 146. Otherconfigurations and/or positions are possible.

The blank may include a securing flap 250. The securing flap 250 mayhave various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, the securingflap 250 may be generally trapezoidal or rectangular with a lengthsimilar to the length of the top panel 130, and with a width ofapproximately 2-3 inches. Other shapes and/or dimensions are possible.The securing flap 250 may be connected, attached, and/or adjacent to thetop panel 130, such as, for example, along fold line 316. In otherblanks, such as blank 600 of FIG. 3, the securing flap 750 may beadjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the side panel 644, suchas, for example, along, at, or by fold line 816. Other configurationsand/or positions are possible.

The blank may include an aperture 115. The aperture 115 may have variousshapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, the aperture may begenerally rectangular with a length similar to or larger than the lengthof one or more handles 110 and 112, and with a width similar to orgreater than twice the thickness of the blank 200. For example, theaperture 115 may be 7¼ inches long and ½ inch wide. Other shapes and/ordimensions are possible. The aperture 115 may be formed in or have aboundary defined by a panel of the blank 200, such as, for example, thetop panel 130. In other blanks, such as blank 600 of FIG. 3, an aperture615 may be formed in or have a boundary defined by the top panel 630,and an aperture 616 may be formed in or defined by the handle panel 790.Other configurations and/or positions are possible.

The blank 200 may include one or more perforated fold lines 405, 410,415, and 420 (also referred to as perforations, perforated lines,perforated edges, perforated boundary, perforated interior boundary,line of perforations, and/or perforated attachment). Perforated foldlines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be any shape, including a straight orrounded line, a circle, a square, a combination of straight or roundedlines, various other shapes, and/or combinations of various shapes andlines.

Perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be or may include oneor more of a series of partial or complete apertures, perforations,cuts, grooves, folds, bends, and/or other spaces in the blank.

Perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may generally divide one ormore portions of the blank 200. For example, perforated fold line 405may divide the side flap 515 from the detachable carrier divider panel212. Perforated fold line 410 may divide the front panel 140 from thedetachable carrier divider panel 212. Perforated fold line 415 maydivide the front panel 140 from the detachable carrier divider panel210. Perforated fold line 420 may divide the side flap 510 from thedetachable carrier divider panel 210. In some systems, the detachablecarrier divider panels 210 and 212 may, where connected, attached,affixed, and/or adjacent to the blank 200, be divided from the blank 200by a perforated fold line. Other components may also be partially orcompletely bounded by perforated fold lines, such as, for example,interior portions of the container holder 981, 982, 983, 984, and 985 ofblank 600 in FIG. 3.

While perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may generally divideone or more portions of the blank 200, in some systems perforated foldlines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may not completely separate the blank 200,but may keep the divided portions of the blank 200 partially orcompletely connected, affixed, in contact with, and/or otherwiseattached to each other prior to a force being applied between thedivided portions. Any partial or complete apertures, perforations, cuts,grooves, folds, bends, and/or other spaces between two portions of ablank 200 may assist or direct the separation of the two portions of theblank 200 by weakening the connection or attachment of the two portionsof the blank 200 along the perforated fold line. Once a force is appliedbetween the two portions or panels of the blank 200, such as by a user'shands as shown in FIG. 7 between the front panel 140 and the detachablecarrier divider panel 212 along the perforated fold line 410, the twopanels of the blank 200 may be separated from each other. More or lessperforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be included in theblank 200. Perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may bepositioned, configured, and/or placed in various other positions on theblank 200.

The blank 200 may include one or more fold lines 302, 304, 306, 308,310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336,338, 340, 342, 425, 430, 435, and 440. Fold lines may generallyillustrate a division of two portions of a blank 200. Fold lines may ormay not actually cut through or otherwise physically pierce the blank200. Fold lines may be indentations, bends, and/or apertures on a blank200 that may indicate where a blank 200 may be folded. More or less foldlines may exist. For example, in some systems, no fold lines may beindicated on the blank 200 prior to assembly. In other systems, the foldlines may be indicated by a drawn or otherwise printed line on the blank200 where the blank 200 is to be folded. In still other systems, thefold lines may be indicated by an indentation, bend, deformation, orother physical indication on the blank 200. Various combinations arepossible.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative example of a blank 600 which may beassembled, folded, and/or used as or to create the portable carrier 100.The blank 600 may be similar to blank 200, and may contain one or moreof the same features of blank 200.

The blank 600 may include one or more side panels 640, 642, and 644which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or havesimilar dimensions as panels 140, 142, and 144 of blank 200. The blank600 may include one or more top panel 630 which may be configured, bemanufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as toppanel 130 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one or more bottompanel 646 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate,and/or have similar dimensions as bottom panel 146 of blank 200. Theblank 600 may include one or more back folding panels 770, 772, 774,776, 778, and 780 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable,operate, and/or have similar dimensions as back folding panels 270, 272,274, 276, 278, and 280 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one ormore one or more side flaps 906 and 907 which may be configured, bemanufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as sideflaps 510 and 515 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one or moreperforated fold lines 905, 910, 915, and 920 which may be configured, bemanufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions asperforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 of blank 200. The blank 600may include one or more fold lines 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, 814,818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842, 925,930, 935, and 940 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable,operate, and/or have similar dimensions as fold lines 302, 304, 306,308, 310, 312, 314, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336,338, 340, 342, 425, 430, 435, and 440 of blank 200 respectively. Theblank 600 may include an aperture 615 which may be configured, bemanufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions asaperture 115 of blank 200.

The blank 600 may differ from blank 200 in one or more ways.

The blank 600 may include one or more handle panel 790 which may besimilar in some respects to handle panel 290. However, unlike handlepanel 290, the handle panel 790 in FIG. 3 may include an aperture 616.As described below, the aperture 616 may be used with the handles 610and 612 and aperture 615.

The blank 600 may also differ from the blank 200 in that the blank 600may also include a slot 741. Slot 741 may extend along and/or betweenthe fold lines 810 and 811 on one or both sides of the locking tab 740.The blank 600 may also include a locking flap 795 which may be shorterthan the locking flap 295. The slot 741 may be the same length orslightly larger than the length of the locking flap 795, or may bevarious other sizes.

Blank 600 may differ from blank 200 in that blank 600 may havedetachable carrier divider panels 710 and 712 which may have containerholders such as container holders 981-985. Detachable carrier dividerpanels 710 and 712 may be attached to one or more panels the blank 600in a manner which is similar to, or differs from, how the detachablecarrier divider panels 210 and 212 may be attached to one or more panelsof the blank 200.

Various combinations of detachable carrier divider panels and containerholders may be used with a blank for a portable carrier 100, such asblanks 200 or 600.

FIGS. 4 a-c illustrate three types of detachable carrier divider panels1800, 1900, and 2000. Blank 200 of FIG. 2 is shown with two detachablecarrier divider panels 210 and 212 similar to the detachable carrierdivider panel 1800. Blank 600 of FIG. 3 is shown with one detachablecarrier divider panel 710 similar to the detachable carrier dividerpanel 1900 and a second detachable carrier divider panel 712 similar tothe detachable carrier divider panel 2000. However, any combination ofdetachable carrier divider panels are possible.

As shown in FIG. 4 a, detachable carrier divider panel 1800 may includefoldable side panels, flaps, or portions 1810 and 1815 (sometimesreferred to as “foldable side portions” or “edge portions”). Thefoldable side portions 1810 and 1815 may be rectangular or any othershape. The foldable side portions 1810 and 1815 may be the same ordifferent sizes. The foldable side portions 1810 and 1815 may be onopposite sides of the detachable carrier divider panel 1800. Thefoldable side portions 1810 and 1815 may be bounded on one or more sidesby one or more edges of the detachable carrier divider panel 1800,and/or may be bounded on one or more sides by fold lines, such as foldlines 1820 and 1825. Fold lines 1820 and 1825 may be similar to foldlines 425 and 430 of the detachable carrier divider panel 212.

As shown in FIG. 4 b, detachable carrier divider panel 1900 may besimilar to the detachable carrier divider panel 1800, except that thedetachable carrier divider panel 1900 may include a container holder1930. Detachable carrier divider panel 1900 may include foldable sideportions 1910 and 1915, which may be similar to foldable side portions1810 and 1815. Detachable carrier divider panel 1900 may include foldlines 1920 and 1925, which may be similar to fold lines 1820 and 1825,and/or similar to fold lines 935 and 940 of blank 600.

As shown in FIG. 4 c, detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may besimilar to the detachable carrier divider panel 1900, except that thedetachable carrier divider panel 2000 may include four container holders2050, 2060, 2070, and 2080. Detachable carrier divider panel 2000 mayinclude foldable side portions 2010 and 2015, which may be similar tofoldable side portions 1810 and 1815. Detachable carrier divider panel2000 may include fold lines 2020 and 2025, which may be similar to foldlines 1820 and 1825 and/or similar to fold lines 925 and 930 of blank600.

Container holders, such as container holder 1930 of FIG. 4 b, mayinclude one or more edges 1980 and 1990. Edges 1980 and 1990 maygenerally outline a portion or all of a shape. In FIG. 4 b, the edges1980 and 1990 outline a portion of a circle, but other shapes may bepossible.

Edges 1980 and 1990 may be defined by perforations, folds, and/or cuts.For example, edges 1980 and 1990 may be perforated fold lines, or may becuts made through the entire blank.

The container holder 1930 may also include one or more perforated foldlines 1945 and 1950. The perforated fold lines 1945 and 1950 may connectone or more portions of a blank between the edges 1980 and 1990. A forcemay be applied on either side of one or more perforated fold lines 1945and 1950, and that force may rip apart the material from either side ofthe perforated fold lines 1945 and 1950. In this way, material on eitherside of the perforated fold lines 1940 and 1950 may be bent or folded,if desired, creating an aperture or opening in the detachable carrierdivider panel 1900. For example, material on the right of the perforatedfold line 1950 may be bent inward at fold line 1940, and/or material onthe left of the perforated fold line 1945 may be bent inward at foldline 1935, creating a void in the detachable carrier divider panel 1900.Other methods and configurations for creating an aperture, opening, orvoid in the detachable carrier divider panels are possible.

The aperture, opening, or void created may be filled by, for example, acup, bowl, glass, or other device of similar dimensions as those createdby the edges 1980 and 1990 and the fold lines 1935 and 1940. An exampleof this is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, where cups 2401 and 2401 fill theaperture in container holders 2060 and 2080. Alternatively, bowls, suchas bowls of soup, may fill the container holders 2060 or 2080.

While the shape created by the edges 1980 and 1990 and the fold lines1935 and 1940 is generally circular, other shapes such as oval, square,rectangular, triangular, or otherwise are possible. In addition, variousdimensions are possible. For example, the edges 1980 and 1990 and thefold lines 1935 and 1940 may create a circular shape with a diameterthat is equivalent to a diameter of a cup at half of the cup's height.However, various other dimensions are possible.

The portable carrier 100 may be assembled from a blank, such as blank200 or blank 600, in various ways. The portable carrier 100 may beassembled from blank 200 or blank 600 in one step or multiple steps. Forexample, the portable carrier 100 may be pre-assembled from blank 200 orblank 600, such as, for example, by a manufacturer, then later fullyassembled, such as, for example, by an end user. Alternatively, theportable carrier 100 may be assembled from blank 200 or blank 600 in onestep or various other steps as desired. While the assembly may bediscussed with respect to blank 200, it will be appreciated that blank600 may be assembled in a similar manner.

In one system and method of assembling a portable carrier 100, the blank200 may be folded, such as along fold lines 320, 326, and 330, as shownin FIG. 5. For example, the blank 200 may be folded along fold lines320, 326, and 330 so that the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144,and bottom panel 146 of the blank 200 may be arranged to form apartially enclosed volume, area, and/or space such as a partiallyenclosed cube. Panels adjacent to each of the fold lines, such as toppanel 130 and side panel 142 adjacent to fold line 320, may bepositioned at right angles to each other. Alternatively, panels adjacentto each of the fold lines may be positioned at various other angles.

The blank 200 may be folded along fold line 316. For example, the blank200 may be folded along fold line 316 so that the securing flap 250 maybe positioned at a right angle to top panel 130. In this configuration,the securing flap 250 may be parallel to and/or overlap the side panel144. The securing flap 250 may be positioned on the inside or outside ofthe volume, area and/or space formed by the top panel 130, side panels142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146. When positioned on the inside ofthe spaced formed by the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and thebottom panel 146, an outer surface of the securing panel 250, such as asurface of the securing panel 250 opposing the side panel 142, mayoverlap a top portion of an inner surface of the side panel 144, such asa surface of the side panel 144 facing the side panel 142.Alternatively, when positioned on the outside of the spaced formed bythe top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146, aninner surface of the securing panel 250, such as a surface facing theside panel 142, may overlap a top portion of an outer surface of theside panel 144.

The portion of the securing flap 250 that overlaps at least a portion ofthe side panel 144 may be secured to the side panel 144. For example, anadhesive such as glue may be applied to the interior portion of thesecuring flap 250 and/or the exterior portion of the side panel 144 whenthe securing flap 250 is positioned on the inside of the space formed bythe top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146.Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to the exterior portion of thesecuring flap 250 and/or an interior portion of the side panel 144 whenthe securing flap 250 is positioned on the outside of the spaced formedby the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146.Alternatively, one or more fasteners, snaps, buttons, staples, zippers,Velcro, or other adhesives or fasteners may be applied and/or used tosecure and/or bind the securing flap 250 to a portion of the side panel144. In this configuration, the top panel 130, the bottom panel 146, andthe side panels 142 and 144 may form a cube when the blank 200 isexpanded.

In blank 600, the securing flap 750 may be used in a manner similar tosecuring flap 250, except that securing flap 750 may overlap and/orfasten with the top panel 630. Other configurations and/or steps may beimplemented.

As shown in FIG. 5, one or more of the back folding panels 270, 272,276, and 280 may be folded along one or more of the fold lines 318, 324,428, and 334 respectively. For example, the back folding panels 270,272, 276, and 280 may be folded along the fold lines 318, 324, 428, and334 respectively towards an interior of the space formed by the toppanel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146. Backfolding panels 274 and 278 may or may not be folded along fold lines 322and 332, such as to bend away from back folding panels 272 and 280respectively. Other configurations, bends, folds, and/or positions maybe possible.

Back folding panel 274 may be folded toward back folding panel 272 alongfold line 322 so as to overlap with a portion of back folding panel 270.When folded, the fold line 322 may extend toward an interior of theportable carrier 100, as shown in FIG. 5, or may extend away from aninterior of the portable carrier 100. An interior surface, or surfacefacing an interior of the portable carrier 100, of the back foldingpanel 274 may contact a portion of an exterior surface, or surfacefacing away from an interior of the portable carrier 100, of the backfolding panel 270. Alternatively, an exterior surface of the backfolding panel 274 may contact a portion of an interior surface of theback folding panel 270. Other configurations are possible.

The back folding panel 274 may be folded so that back folding panel 274may lie parallel to back folding panel 270. In some configurations, theback folding panel 274 may be parallel to the back folding panel 270both when the blank 200 is compressed or lies flat, and when the blank200 is expanded into the portable carrier 100. Various otherconfigurations are possible.

The back folding panel 274 may or may not be attached to the backfolding panel 270. Where attached, the back folding panel 274 may beattached to the back folding panel 270 in various ways, such as, forexample, by applying an adhesive such as glue between the back foldingpanel 274 and the back folding panel 270. For example, an entirety ofback folding panel 274 may be covered with an adhesive and applied tothe back folding panel 270. Other ways of attaching, securing, and/orbinding the back folding panel 274 to the back folding panel 270 arepossible.

As shown in FIG. 5, back folding panel 278 may be folded so as tooverlap with a portion of back folding panel 276. This may occur in thesame or a similar fashion as how back folding panel 274 overlaps with aportion of back folding panel 270. For example, an interior surface ofthe back folding panel 278 may contact a portion of an exterior surfaceof the back folding panel 276, or an exterior surface of the backfolding panel 278 may contact a portion of an interior surface of theback folding panel 276. Various other configurations are possible.

The back folding panel 278 may be folded so that back folding panel 278may lie parallel to back folding panel 276. In some configurations, theback folding panel 278 may be parallel to the back folding panel 276both when the blank 200 is compressed or lies flat, and when the blank200 is expanded into the portable carrier 100. Various otherconfigurations are possible.

The back folding panel 278 may or may not be attached to the backfolding panel 276. Where attached, the back folding panel 278 may beattached to the back folding panel 276 in various ways, such as, forexample, by applying an adhesive between the back folding panel 278 andthe back folding panel 276. Other ways of attaching, securing, and/orbinding the back folding panel 278 to the back folding panel 276 may bepossible.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a portable carrier 100 that has beenpartially assembled from blank 200, with the securing flap 250 securedto a side wall 144, the back folding panel 274 secured to the backfolding panel 270, and the back folding panel 278 secured to the backfolding panel 276. This may be considered a pre-assembled blank 200,though one may assemble the blank 200 in various other ways, orders,and/or steps.

The portable carrier 100 pre-assembled from blank 200 of FIG. 5 may befolded down into a nearly two-dimensional shape. In a folded orcompressed configuration, the side panel 144 and the top panel 130 ofblank 200 may be parallel to and/or in continuation of each other. Inthis configuration, the fold line 316 may not fold, or may be slightlyfolded, so as to form an angle at or near 180 degrees. In this foldedconfiguration, the side panel 142 and the bottom panel 146 may beparallel to, and/or in continuation of, each other, such that fold line326 may not fold, or may be slightly folded, so as to form an angle ator near 180 degrees. When folded and when the side panels 142 and 144,the top panel 130, and the bottom panel 146 are all the same size, foldlines 316 and 326 may or may not overlap each other.

In a folded or compressed configuration, fold lines 320 and 330 mayrepresent an outermost width of the blank 200, and may be folded so asto form an angle at or near zero degrees. In this configuration, backfolding panels 270 and 280 may be folded inward and may be parallel ornearly parallel to each other. Back folding panels 270 and 280 may layfacing back folding panels 272 and 276, which may be parallel or nearlyparallel to each other. In this configuration, back folding panel 274may be attached to back folding panel 270 and may face back foldingpanel 272, such that the angle formed at folding line 322 may be at ornear zero degrees. In addition, back folding panel 278 may be attachedto back folding panel 276 and may face back folding panel 280, such thatthe angle formed at folding line 332 may be at or near zero degrees.

The portable carrier 100 pre-assembled from blank 200 in FIG. 5 mayalternatively be folded down into a nearly two-dimensional shape alongthe opposite axis. For example, in this alternative foldedconfiguration, side panel 144 and bottom panel 146 of blank 200 may beparallel to and/or in continuation of, each other, such that fold line330 may not fold, or may be slightly folded, so as to form an angle ator near 180 degrees. In this alternative folded configuration, the sidepanel 142 and the top panel 130 may be parallel to, and/or incontinuation of, each other, such that fold line 320 may not fold, ormay be slightly folded, so as to form an angle at or near 180 degrees.In this configuration, fold lines 320 and 330 may or may not overlapeach other. In this configuration, fold lines 316 and 326 may representan outermost width of the blank 200, and may be folded so as to form anangle at or near zero degrees.

In systems where the portable carrier 100 is pre-assembled from blank200, the portable carrier 100 may be assembled to a point where theblank 200 may be partially constructed and/or may lie and/or remain in aflat configuration or position. Folding the pre-assembled portablecarrier 100 may enable and/or allow for compact storage of a portablecarrier 100. For example, a folded portable carrier 100 pre-assembledfrom blank 200 may enable and/or allow for multiple folded portablecarriers 100 pre-assembled from blanks 200 to be efficiently stackedtogether. This may be useful, for example, when an expanded portablecarrier 100 is not desired, such as prior to or after using the portablecarrier 100. Two or more stacked folded pre-assembled portable carriers100 may be transported and/or stored in a small and efficient space. Apre-assembled blank 200 may be useful, for example, for storage andpackaging, since the pre-assembled blank 200 may be packed and shippedin a flat and compact shape and assembled at a final destination by anend user or business prior to use.

In addition, a pre-assembled blank 200 may allow a manufacturer toperform all steps requiring external equipment, adhesives, and/or otherdevices for creating the portable carrier 100 prior to packaging and/ordelivering a compact pre-assembled blank 200 to an end user who may thenassemble the blank 200 into the portable carrier 100 without needing anyexternal equipment or otherwise. A pre-assembled portable carrier 100may be capable of quick and easy three-dimensional construction withoutthe need for or use of any adhesives, additional fasteners, oradditional components.

FIG. 5 illustrates how the folded portable carrier 100 pre-assembledfrom blank 200 may be expanded to form an expanded portable carrier 100.Pressure may be applied, for example, at the folded edges 320 and 330 ofthe folded blank 200, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 5.Alternatively, portions of the blank 200 may be grasped and pulled apartto expand the blank 200 to create the portable carrier 100. Variousother methods of expanding the blank 200 are possible.

As the portable carrier 100 expands, the back folding panels 270, 272,274, 276, 278, and 280 may expand from a folded position parallel to thefolded panels 130, 142, 144, and 146, to an expanded positionperpendicular to the unfolded panels 130, 142, 144, and 146.

Where one or more of the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278,and 280 are connected and/or attached to each other, the expansion ofthe back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 as thepre-assembled blank 200 is expanded may aid, force, be aided and/orresult from the affixation of the back folding panels, such as theaffixation, adhesion, or fastening of the back folding panels 274 and278 to the back folding panels 270 and 276 respectively. As the sidepanels 142 and 144, the top panel 130, and the bottom panel 146 areseparated from each other, the angle formed by fold lines 322 and 332may be expanded from zero or nearly zero, in the folded position, to 180degrees, or nearly 180 degrees, in a fully expanded position. Forexample, the back folding panels 272 and 274 may extend away from theside panel 142 as the side panel 142 moves away from the bottom panel146 and the top panel 130, because the back folding panel 274 may bepulled and/or experience a force in a direction away from the side panel142 based on the affixation of the back folding panel 274 to the backfolding panel 270, attached to the top panel 130 along fold line 318.

The back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may beconfigured and/or designed so that as the blank 200 is expanded and asthe back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 move closer toa position where the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and280 are all parallel to each other, the back folding panels 270, 272,and 274 interlock with the back folding panels 276, 278, and 280. Forexample, when the back folding panel 274 is attached or otherwiseaffixed to the back folding panel 270, the combination of the backfolding panels 270, 272, and 274 may create a notch 490, or a notch 490may exist or be defined exclusively in one or more of back foldingpanels 270, 272, and 274. In addition, when the back folding panel 278is attached or otherwise affixed to the back folding panel 276, thecombination of the back folding panels 276, 278, and 280 may also createa notch 491, or a notch 491 may exist or be defined exclusively in oneor more of back folding panels 270, 272, and 274. Accordingly, when theblank 200 is expanded, the notch 490 created by one or more of the backfolding panels 270, 272, and 274 may interlock with, attached to, affixwith, connect to, secure, and/or fasten to the notch 491 created by oneor more of the back folding panels 276, 278, and 280. When the notches490 and 491 interlock, a portion of the combination of back foldingpanels 270, 272, and 274 may reside on one side of the combination ofback folding panels 276, 278, and 280, while a portion of the backfolding panels 270, 272, and 274 may reside on an opposite side of thecombination of back folding panels 276, 278, and 280. The interlockingnotches 490 and 491 may, for example, prevent the back folding panels270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 from extending beyond an angleperpendicular to one or more of the side panels 142 or 144, the toppanel 130, or the bottom panel 146. The back folding panels 270, 272,274, 276, 278, and 280 may interlock in various other ways. Theinterlocking back folding panels may provide an easy auto lock bottomwhich may facilitate a quick set up time.

FIG. 6 shows the blank 200 in an expanded configuration, forming apartially assembled portable carrier 100. In this expandedconfiguration, the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280may be parallel or nearly parallel to each other and/or may form a backpanel 1000, shown in FIGS. 10, 13 a-b, and 14. The back panel 1000 may,for example, be adjacent to the side panels 142 and 144, as well as toppanel 130 and bottom panel 146. The back panel 1000 may be perpendicularto one or more of the side panels 142 and 144, the top panel 130, and/orthe bottom panel 146. The back panel 1000 may oppose the front panel 140in FIG. 1 when the front panel 140 is attached or otherwise affixed tothe top panel 130. Other configurations are possible.

The portable carrier 100 in FIG. 6 may include one or more detachablecarrier divider panels 210 and 212. Detachable carrier divider panels210 and 212 may be attached to one or more panels of the blank 200 orportable carrier 100 in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 7,the carrier divider panel 212 may be attached to the front panel 140along a perforated fold line 410, and to a side panel 144 along aperforated fold line 405. Carrier divider panel 210 may be attached tothe front panel 140 on a side opposite the carrier divider panel 210,such as along perforated fold line 415, and along the side panel 142along perforated fold line 405. Other configurations are possible, suchas where the front panel divider lies adjacent to the top panel 130, andwhere the two carrier divider panels 210 and 212 lie adjacent to eachother.

The perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be formed in theblank 200 when the blank 200 is manufactured, as shown in FIG. 2, or maybe formed later. The perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may beor may comprise one or more of a series of partial or completeapertures, perforations, cuts, grooves, and/or other spaces between thedetachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 and the panels 140, 142,and 144. The perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may generallykeep the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 connected,affixed, in contact with, and/or otherwise attached to the panels 140,142, and 144 prior to a force being applied between the front panel 140and the detachable carrier divider panel 212.

Before or after expanding the blank 200 into a partially assembledportable carrier 200, one or more of the detachable carrier dividerpanels 210 and 212 may be detached from the portable carrier 100. Oneprocedure for detaching one or more of the detachable carrier dividerpanels 210 and 212 is shown in FIGS. 7-9, though other methods arepossible.

As shown by the arrows in FIG. 7, in detaching or removing thedetachable carrier divider panel 212 from the portable carrier 100, thedetachable carrier divider panel 212 may first be pulled away from thefront panel 140 along the perforated fold line 410. Any partial orcomplete apertures, perforations, cuts, grooves, and/or other spacesbetween one or more of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212and one or more of the panels 140, 142, and 144 may assist or direct thedetachment of one or more of the detachable carrier divider panels 210and 212 from one or more of the panels 140, 142, and 144 by weakeningthe connection or attachment of the detachable carrier divider panels210 and 212 to the panels 140, 142, and 144 along the perforated foldlines 405, 410, 415, and/or 420. Once a force is applied between one ofthe panels 140, 142, and 144 and the detachable carrier divider panels210 or 212, such as by a user's hands as shown in FIG. 7, the detachablecarrier divider panel 210 or 212 may be detached from the panel, such asside panel 210, along the perforated fold line, such as perforated foldline 410.

The detachable carrier divider panel 212 may also be detached from theside panel 144 along the perforated fold line 405. Once a force isapplied between the side panel 144 and the detachable carrier dividerpanel 212, the detachable carrier divider panel 212 may be detached fromthe side panel 144 along the perforated fold line 405 and removed fromthe portable carrier 100, as shown in FIG. 8. Other methods of detachingthe detachable carrier divider panel 212 from the portable carrier 100are possible.

The detachable carrier divider panel 210 may also be detached from theportable carrier 100. The detachable carrier divider panel 210 may beattached to front panel 140 along a perforated fold line 415 which maybe similar to perforated fold lines 405 and 410. The detachable carrierdivider panel 210 may be attached to and detached from the side panel142 along a perforated fold line 420 in a manner similar to how thedetachable carrier divider panel 212 may be attached to and detachedfrom the side panel 144. FIG. 9 shows the detachable carrier dividerpanel 210 detached from the portable carrier 100. Various other methodsof detaching the detachable carrier divider panel 210 from the portablecarrier 100 are possible.

Detachable carrier divider panels 710 and 712 may be detached from blank600 in a similar manner as how detachable carrier divider panels 210 and212 may be detached from blank 200, as shown and described with respectto FIGS. 7-9.

FIG. 10 shows a side perspective view of the portable carrier 100 withthe detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 removed.

The handle 102 of the portable carrier 100 may be assembled and/orfolded in various ways. The handle 102 of the portable carrier 100 maybe assembled and/or folded before or after the removal of the detachablecarrier divider panels 210 and 212 from the portable carrier 100. FIGS.11-13 b show one example of how a handle 102 may be formed after theremoval of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212, though onemay assemble the handle 102 before the removable of one or more of thedetachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212.

The handle 102 may be constructed of one or more portions or panels ofthe blank 200 or portable carrier 100. For example, the handle 102 mayinclude one or more handles 110 and 112. In a portable carrier 100assembled from blank 600, the portable carrier 100 may have a handle 600assembled from one or more handles 610 and 612. Other configurations arepossible.

As shown in FIG. 11, the handle 112 and bottom handle feature 114 may befolded along one or more of the fold lines 304 and 306. The handle 112and bottom handle feature 114 may be folded so that the handle 112 isflush with and/or in contact with the handle 110. When folded, thehandle opening 122 of the handle 112 may align with the handle opening120 of the handle 110.

The handle 612 and handle stopper 614 may be folded along fold lines 604and/or 606 in a manner similar to how handle 112 and bottom handlefeature 114 of blank 200 are folded in FIG. 11. The handle 612 andhandle stopper 614 may be folded so that the handle 612 may be flushwith and/or in contact with the handle 610. When folded, the handleopening 622 of the handle 612 may align with the handle opening 620 ofthe handle 610.

Fold lines 304 and 306 of blank 200 may be separated from each other bya distance. For example, the fold lines 304 and 306 may be separatedfrom each other by a distance between the thickness of the material ofthe blank 200, and a thickness twice the thickness of the material ofthe blank 200. Folding along both of the fold lines 304 and 306 mayallow larger planer portions of handles 110 and 112 to contact eachother.

As shown in FIG. 12, the handle panel 290 may be folded along the foldline 310. The handle panel 290 may or may not be folded toward aninterior of the portable carrier 100. Though the handle panel 290 may befolded along the fold line 310, the locking tab 240, which may beattached to the top panel 130, may not bend inward with the handle panel290.

The handle panel 290 is shown in FIG. 12 as being folded toward aninterior of the portable carrier 100 after the handle 112 and bottomhandle feature 114 have been folded along the fold lines 304 and/or 306toward handle 110. However, the handle panel 290 may be folded toward aninterior of the portable carrier 100 before the handle 112 and bottomhandle feature 114 have been folded along the fold lines 304 and/or 306toward handle 110/

As shown in FIG. 13 a, the handle panel 290 may fold until the handlepanel 290 is flush with and/or in contact with an interior surface ofthe top panel 130. Where the handle panel 290 has a length of less thanhalf the length of the top panel 130, an edge of the handle panel 290adjacent to the handle 110 may align with an edge of the aperture 115.In this configuration, for example, fold line 308 may align with, beparallel to, and/or lie along an edge of the aperture 115.

The handles 110 and 112, which may be flush with, in contact with,and/or aligned with each other, may constitute handle 102. The handle102 may be folded along fold lines 302 and 308. The handle 102 may befolded to a position perpendicular to the handle panel 290. As shown inFIG. 13 a, the handle 102 may be inserted through the aperture 115 onthe top panel 130. Once inserted, the handle 102 may be used, forexample, to lift the portable carrier 100 upward.

The folding of the handles 110 and 112 along fold lines 302 and 308 maytake place prior to, after, or contemporaneous with the folding of thehandle panel 290 toward an interior surface of the top panel 130. Insome embodiments, the handles 110 and 112 may be folded toward the toppanel 130, such as in an upward position, prior to completely foldingthe handle panel 290 toward the interior surface of the top panel 130.In these embodiments, the folded handles 110 and 112 may be insertedthrough the aperture 115 as the handle panel 290 is folded flush withand/or in contact with the interior surface of the top panel 130. Othermethods and configurations are possible.

FIG. 13 a shows the handle 102 being inserted through the aperture 115.FIG. 13 b shows the handle 102 in a position through the aperture 115where the handle may be grasped for carrying the portable carrier 110.

The handle and handle panel of blank 600 may be folded, assembled,and/or used in a similar or different manner.

The handle panel 790 of blank 600 may be folded along one or more of thefold lines 810 and 811 toward an interior of the portable carrier 100,in a manner similar to the folding of the handle panel 290 of blank 200shown in FIG. 12. Though the handle panel 790 may be folded along one ormore fold line 810 and 811, the locking tab 740, which may be attachedto the top panel 630, may not bend inward with the handle panel 790.

The handle panel 790 may fold all the way so that the handle panel 790is flush with and/or in contact with an interior surface of the toppanel 630. The handle panel 790 of blank 600 may be longer than thehandle panel 290 of blank 200. As such, when the handle panel 790 isfolded toward the interior surface of the top panel 630, the handlepanel 790 may extend beyond the aperture 615 of the top surface 630. Theaperture 616 of the handle panel 790 may partially or completely alignwith the aperture 615.

The handles 610 and 612, which may be folded together, may be foldedbackwards along fold lines 802 and 990 toward the apertures 615 and 616.This may be done before, after, or contemporaneous with the folding ofthe handle panel 790. When the handle panel 790 is folded flush with theinterior surface of the top panel 630, the handles 610 and 612 may beinserted through one or both of the apertures 615 and 616.

The handles 610 and 612 may not be pulled through the aperture past apoint where the end of the handle openings 620 and 622 coincide with theapertures 615 and 616, as the handle stopper 614 and the portion of thehandle panel 790 between the fold lines 808 and 990 may be wider and/orlarger than one or both of the apertures 615 and 616.

The handles 610 and 612 may be securely fastened to the top panel 630 ofthe portable carrier and may be prevented from extending out of, orbeing easily pulled beyond, the top apertures 615 and 616. In addition,the large handle panel 790 may provide additional support for thehandles 610 and 612, so that any pressure or force applied duringcarrying and/or transportation of the portable carrier is spread over awider portion of the top panel 630 by at least the portion of the handlepanel 790 that extends over the aperture 615. The combination of theaperture 615 in the top panel 630 and the aperture 616 in the handlepanel 790 connected to, and overlapping with the top panel 630 maycreate a multi-paneled top or lid portion of the portable carriersurrounding the handles 610 and 612 that may, for example, strengthenthe handle and connecting top panel 630 of the portable carrier. Thisconfiguration may also provide additional support for the handles 610and 612, such as, for example, by making the opening through which thehandles 610 and 612 are inserted thicker, and helping prevent thehandles from folding over the top panel 630.

The interior of the portable carrier 100 may be accessed through theside of the portable carrier 100, as shown in FIGS. 13 b and 14. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 14, a container 1200 may be placed in theportable carrier 100 through the side of the portable carrier 100. Thecontainer 1200 may, for example, contain liquids, syrups, greasy foods,sauces, and/or other ingredients or cargo which, if the container 1200is tipped or swayed, may escape from the container 1200. The side accessto the portable carrier 100 may be useful for loading the container 1200into the portable carrier 100 without the container 1200 being tippedupon insertion.

The portable carrier 100 may be configured and/or dimensioned so as tohold, store and/or carry one or more containers like container 1200. Forexample, in FIGS. 15 a and 15 b, the portable carrier 100 is carryingthree containers 1200, 1210, and 1220. The portable carrier 100 maycarry more or less containers. Containers, like container 1200, may bevarious sizes and/or dimensions. The portable carrier 100 may also, oralternatively, be configured and/or dimensioned so as to carry a varietyof other items, such as foods, sodas, condiments, office supplies, orother items.

A detachable carrier divider panel, such as detachable carrier dividerpanel 210 of blank 200, may be used with the portable carrier 100. Forexample, a detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be inserted into theportable carrier 100 as shown in FIG. 14.

The detachable carrier divider panel, such as detachable carrier dividerpanel 210 in FIGS. 14 and 15 a-b, may be inserted and/or attached to theinterior of the portable carrier 100 so that the detachable carrierdivider panel 210 lies on top of an inserted container 1200.Alternatively or in addition, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a detachablecarrier divider panel 2000 may be placed so that edges of the detachablecarrier divider panel 2000 lie along a bottom edge of the portablecarrier 100.

Where the detachable carrier divider panel 210 has a width wider thanthe bottom panel 146, as in FIG. 2, the detachable carrier divider panel210 may be folded or bent, for example, along the fold lines 435 and 440as shown. This may aid in, cause, or otherwise allow the detachablecarrier divider panel 210 to fit snugly in the portable carrier 100. Forexample, the edges of the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may liesnugly fit along the side panels 142 and 144, as shown in FIG. 14, ormay lie along corner edges between the side panels 142 and 144 and thebottom panel 146, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The bends in thedetachable carrier divider panel 210 along the fold lines 435 and 440may provide a force on the detachable carrier divider panel 210 whichmay, for example, aid in avoiding crushing a container 1200 with asecond container on top of the container 1200, as shown in FIGS. 15 a-b,and/or may cause a main body portion of the detachable carrier dividerpanel 210 to be raised, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 and described below.

In FIG. 15 a, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be placedbetween the first container 1200 and the second container 1210. In FIG.15 b, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be placed between thesecond container 1210 and the third container 1220. Alternatively, adetachable carrier divider panel 210 may be placed between eachcontainer 1200, 1210 and 1220, or may not be included or used with theportable carrier 100.

As shown in FIG. 15 a, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 mayprovide insulation or an insulating barrier between the containers 1200and 1210. The detachable carrier divider panel 210 may allow for cargoof different temperatures to be transported and remain isolated fromeach other. For example, container 1200 may contain cold food, which mayremain insulated from containers 1210 and 1220, which may contain hotfood, by using the detachable carrier divider panel 210 as shown in FIG.15 a. In at least this way, the portable carrier 100 may be configuredto store and/or transport both hot and cold cargo at the same time.

Alternatively or in addition, the detachable carrier divider panel, likedetachable carrier divider panel 2000, may be inserted and/or attachedalong an inside bottom edge of a portable carrier 100, as shown in FIGS.19 and 20. The detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may be wider thanthe width of the portable carrier 100, such that the detachable carrierdivider panel 2000 may be folded at fold lines 2020 and 2025 so as tofit inside the width of the portable carrier 100.

The carrier divider panel 2000 may have a first edge, such as an outeredge parallel to the fold line 2025 and partially bounding the foldableside portion 2015. The carrier divider panel 2000 may also have and asecond edge, such as an outer edge parallel to the fold line 2020 andpartially bounding the foldable side portion 2010. This second edge maybe opposite the first edge. The carrier divider panel 2000 may have acenter portion between the foldable side portions 2015 and 2010. Asmentioned, the portable carrier 100 may have a first corner edgeextending along a junction of the bottom panel 146 and a first sidepanel 142. The portable carrier 100 may also have a second corner edgeextending along a junction of the bottom panel 146 and a second sidepanel 144, which may be opposite the first side panel 142. The firstedge of the carrier divider panel 2000 may be inserted along the firstcorner edge of the portable carrier 100. The second edge of the carrierdivider panel may be inserted along the second corner edge of theportable carrier 100. In this way, the detachable carrier divider panel2000 may be bent along the fold lines 2020 and 2025, so that a centralportion of the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may be parallel, orat a different angle, to the bottom panel 146. A force from the bentdetachable carrier divider panel 2000 may push toward the side walls 142and/or 144 in a manner which may force the detachable carrier dividerpanel 2000 toward the bottom edge of the portable carrier 100 and/or maysecure the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 in the portable carrier100. In some embodiments, the foldable side portions 2010 and 2015, inconjunction with the fold lines 2020 and 2025, may enable or otherwisefacilitate a portable carrier 100 with a raised detachable carrierdivider panel 2000 and/or container holder securely fashioned to aninside of the portable carrier 100. The foldable side portions 2010 and2015 of the carrier divider panel may not parallel to the bottom panel.The foldable side portions 2010 and 2015 of a detachable carrier dividerpanel 2000 may form an angle with the bottom panel 146.

In some embodiments, when the side panels 142 and 144 are foldedrelative to the bottom panel 146, the folds along the fold lines 326 and330 respectively may create a crevice or other depression along theedges. For example, when corrugated cardboard is used for the blank 200,the folded cardboard may have an indentation or depression where thecardboard was folded, such as along fold lines 326 and 330. Accordingly,where a detachable carrier divider panel 2000 is inserted into thebottom of the portable carrier 100, the edges of the detachable carrierdivider panel 2000 may fit into or along any such crevices. This featuremay provide added support for the detachable carrier divider panel 2000when used with the portable carrier 100.

Where the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 includes one or morecontainer holders such as container holders 2050, 2060, 2070, and 2080,and/or where the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 is wider than thewidth of the portable carrier 100, a container may be securely insertedand/or fastened to the interior of the portable carrier 100. Forexample, a container such as container 2401 and 2402 may be insertedand/or otherwise secured in the container holders 2060 and 2080 in anelevated central portion of the detachable carrier divider panel 2000.The elevated central portion of the detachable carrier divider panel2000, coupled with the force from the fold lines and bends, may helpsecure the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 in the interior of theportable carrier 100, and also may help secure an inserted container inthe interior of the portable carrier 100. Other configurations arepossible.

With or without cargo, the portable carrier 100 may be closed in variousways. For example, as shown in FIGS. 16-18, the front panel 140 may behingedly connected to the bottom panel 146, and/or may close theportable carrier 100 by attaching to the top panel 130. In otherconfigurations, the front panel 140 may be hingedly connected to a sidepanel, such as side panel 142, and/or may close the portable carrier 100by attaching to the opposite side panel 144. Other configurations arepossible.

As shown by the arrows in FIG. 16, the side flaps 510 and 515 may befolded inward along fold lines 336 and 340. The side flaps 510 and 515may be rectangular or various other shapes. The side flaps 510 and 515may be folded so as to be perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to sidepanels 142 and 144 respectively. The side flaps 510 and 515 may befolded at various steps during the assembly of the portable carrier 100.

The top flap 295 of the front panel 140 may be folded along the foldline 341. The top flap 295 may be folded at approximately a ninetydegree angle, or another angle, along the fold line 341. The top flap295 may or may not be folded toward an interior of the portable carrier100.

While the top flap 295 may be folded, a tab 245 of the top flap 295 mayremain parallel with the front panel 140. As such, a gap may existbetween the top flap 195 and the front panel 140 and tab 245. The gapmay function as and/or be referred to as a locking slot.

The front panel 140 may be folded upward along fold line 338, as shownin FIG. 17. The front panel 140 may be folded toward the top panel 130.The folded front panel 140 may or may not be perpendicular to the toppanel 130, the bottom panel 146, and the side panels 142 and 144. Thefolded front panel may form a closed volume, area, and/or space in theportable carrier 100. The front panel 140 may be folded after the sideflaps 510 and 515 have been folded toward the interior of the portablecarrier 100, as shown in FIG. 17, or may occur before. The folded sideflaps 510 and 515 may help in sealing shut the portable carrier once thefront panel 140 is attached to the top panel 130, and/or may aid inpreventing any contents and/or cargo inside the portable carrier 100from escaping through the sides between the front panel 140 and the sidepanels 142 and 144. Various other configurations and positions arepossible.

Once the front panel 140 is folded upward, the top flap 295 may beinserted in the interior of the portable carrier 100. For example, asshown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the top flap 295 may be inserted in theinterior of the portable carrier 100, such as below the top panel 130and above the top edges of the side flaps 510 and 515. Otherconfigurations are possible.

As shown in FIG. 18, the locking tab 240 attached to the top panel 130may be folded or bent along one or more fold lines, such as fold lines312 and 314. The locking tab 240 may be bent away from the top panel 130and away from the interior of the portable carrier 100 along the foldline 314. A portion of the locking tab may be folded and/or bent in theopposite direction along the fold line 312. Other methods of folding thelocking tab 240 are possible.

When the top flap 295 is inserted under the top panel 130 of theportable carrier, the front panel 140 may be positioned perpendicular tothe side panels 142 and 144, the top panel 130, and the bottom panel146, and/or may be aligned with and/or parallel to the back panel 1000.The side flaps 510 and 515 may cover any gaps between the sides of thefront panel 140 and the side panels 142 and 144.

The portable carrier 100 may be locked using the locking tab 240 and thelocking slot created by the tab 245. For example, the locking tab 240may be inserted into the locking slot created by the tab 245. Wheninserted, the locking tab 240 may be pressed down until a portion of thelocking tab 240 between the fold lines 312 and 314 is parallel with, incontinuation of, and/or aligned with the top panel 130. In thisconfiguration, the fold line 312 may not be, or may partially be folded,and/or may be folded so as to have an angle of, or near, 180 degrees.

In other systems, the portable carrier 100 may be closed and/or securedin other ways. For example, a portable carrier 100 assembled from blank600 may be closed and/or secured in a similar or different way.

When the handle panel 790 of blank 600 is folded along both the foldlines 810 and 811 as described above, the slot 741 may extend verticallya distance that may be equal to the width between the fold lines 810 and811. In this way, the slot 741 may be wide enough that a flap, such aslocking flap 795, may be slid into the slot 741 and/or lie between thehandle panel 790 and the top panel 630 when the side panel 640 is foldedupward. This may provide additional security for the portable carrierwhen the side panel 640 is attached to or otherwise connected to the toppanel 630. The locking flap 795 may, alternatively, be inserted belowthe handle panel 790, similar to the locking flap 295 in used with blank200. Other configurations are possible.

After inserting the locking flap 795, the locking tab 740 of blank 600may be folded or bent at the fold lines 812 and 814, like the lockingflap 240 was folded or bent at fold lines 212 and 214 with blank 200,and may be inserted into the locking slot created by the tab 745 likethe locking flap 240 was inserted into the locking slot created by tab245 of blank 200. Alternatively, other securing and/or fasteningmechanisms may be used.

The portable carrier 100 may not have a locking tab 240 or a lockingslot created by the tab 245. For example, the front panel 140 may besecured to the top panel 130 using a fastener, latch, or other securingmechanisms.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not beused to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may begrouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description. While various embodiments of theinvention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations arepossible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventionis not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and theirequivalents.

1. A unitary blank configured to be assembled into a portable carrier,the unitary blank comprising: a bottom panel; a plurality of side panelsconnected with the bottom panel; a top panel connected with one of theside panels; and a carrier divider panel connected with one of the sidepanels, the carrier divider panel including perforations such that thecarrier divider panel is detachable from the side panel and configuredto be inserted into an interior of the portable carrier formed by thebottom panel, the plurality of side panels, and the top panel.
 2. Theunitary blank of claim 1, wherein the carrier divider panel includes aninsulating material.
 3. The unitary blank of claim 1, wherein thecarrier divider panel includes at least one aperture forming a containerholder.
 4. The unitary blank of claim 3, wherein the detached carrierdivider panel includes fold lines and is configured to be folded alongthe fold lines to position the container holder above the bottom panelwhen the carrier divider panel is detached from the side panel andinserted into the interior of the portable carrier.
 5. The unitary blankof claim 4, wherein the carrier divider panel comprises a first edge anda second edge opposite the first edge; wherein the carrier divider panelis detached from the side panel and inserted into the interior of theportable carrier so that the first edge and the second edge of thecarrier divider panel are in contact with the bottom panel of theportable carrier.
 6. The unitary blank of claim 1, wherein a width ofthe carrier divider panel is greater than a width of the interior of theportable carrier.
 7. A unitary blank configured to be assembled into aportable carrier, the unitary blank comprising: a bottom panel; aplurality of side panels connected with the bottom panel; a top panelconnected with one of the side panels and having a first aperture; ahandle panel connected with the top panel along a fold line, the handlepanel having a second aperture; a handle connected with the handlepanel; wherein the handle panel folds along the fold line and overlapsthe top panel; and wherein the handle is inserted through the firstaperture and the second aperture when the handle panel folds along thefold line and overlaps the top panel.
 8. The unitary blank of claim 7,wherein the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture when thehandle panel folds along the fold line and overlaps the top panel. 9.The unitary blank of claim 7, wherein the first aperture and the secondaperture have the same dimensions.
 10. The unitary blank of claim 7,wherein the first aperture is rectangular with a length substantiallythe same as a length of the handle.
 11. A portable carrier, comprising:a bottom panel; a top panel; a plurality of side panels connected withthe bottom panel and the top panel; and a carrier divider panelconnected with one of the side panels; wherein prior to assembly, theportable carrier includes perforations bounding a portion of the carrierdivider panel; and wherein the carrier divider panel is detached fromthe side panel and inserted between the top panel and the bottom panel.12. The portable carrier of claim 11, further comprising: a front panelhingedly attached to the bottom panel and configured to move from aclosed position where the front panel is perpendicular to the bottompanel and attached to the top panel, to an open position where the frontpanel is not perpendicular to the bottom panel and not attached to thetop panel; wherein an interior of the portable carrier is accessiblewhen the front panel is in the open position, and is not accessible whenthe front panel is in the closed position.
 13. The portable carrier ofclaim 12, wherein the carrier divider panel is inserted between the toppanel and the bottom panel when the front panel is in the open position.14. The portable carrier of claim 11, wherein the carrier divider panelincludes an insulating material.
 15. The portable carrier of claim 11,wherein the carrier divider panel includes at least one aperture forminga container holder.
 16. The portable carrier of claim 11, wherein thecarrier divider panel further comprises: a first edge and a second edgeopposite the first edge; a first edge portion adjacent to the firstedge; a second edge portion adjacent to the second edge; a centerportion between the first edge portion and the second edge portion;wherein the portable carrier further comprises: a first corner edgeextending along a junction of the bottom panel and a first side panel; asecond corner edge extending along a junction of the bottom panel and asecond side panel opposite the first side panel; wherein the first edgeof the carrier divider panel is inserted along the first corner edge ofthe portable carrier; wherein the second edge of the carrier dividerpanel is inserted along the second corner edge of the portable carrier;wherein the center portion of the carrier divider panel is parallel tothe bottom panel; and wherein the first edge portion and the second edgeportion of the carrier divider panel are not parallel to the bottompanel.
 17. A portable carrier, comprising: a bottom panel; a top panelhaving a first aperture; a plurality of side panels connected with thebottom panel and the top panel; a handle panel connected with the toppanel and having a second aperture, the handle panel in an assembledstate being folded along a fold line separating the handle panel fromthe top panel so that the handle panel overlaps the top panel; and ahandle attached to the handle panel and, in the assembled state,inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture.
 18. Theportable carrier of claim 17, wherein the first aperture is aligned withthe second aperture in the assembled state.
 19. The portable carrier ofclaim 17, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture have thesame dimensions.
 20. The portable carrier of claim 17, wherein the firstaperture is substantially rectangular with a length substantially thesame as to a length of the handle.